Voice Notification Volume Adjustment in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in setting an appropriate voice volume for notifications, as the volume is often too low for distant listeners or too high for nearby individuals, leading to difficulties in hearing and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a notification unit, volume setting unit, person detection unit, and volume change unit, which select and adjust the voice message volume based on the situation and presence of individuals in a predetermined region, ensuring the message is audible and comfortable for users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the voice volume is increased to be heard by distant listeners, then the audibility for distant users is improved, but the voice becomes harsh and uncomfortable for nearby individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The voice volume is dynamically adjusted based on the detected distance between the user and the image forming apparatus. The notification unit changes the output volume in real-time according to the user's position, ensuring appropriate loudness whether the user is near or far from the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of voice volume is changed based on the user's distance from the apparatus. The system detects user position and modifies the volume parameter accordingly, using different volume levels for near and far users to resolve the contradiction between audibility and comfort.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the voice volume is decreased to be comfortable for nearby users, then the comfort for near users is improved, but the voice becomes inaudible for distant listeners
Solution Approach 1:
The voice volume is dynamically adjusted based on the detected distance between the user and the image forming apparatus. The notification unit changes the output volume in real-time according to the user's position, ensuring appropriate loudness whether the user is near or far from the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of voice volume is changed based on the user's distance from the apparatus. The system detects user position and modifies the volume parameter accordingly, using different volume levels for near and far users to resolve the contradiction between audibility and comfort.
3Device complexity
If a fixed voice volume is used for all notifications, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different user situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The notification unit automatically detects user presence and distance, then self-adjusts the voice volume without requiring manual user input. The system serves itself by monitoring its environment and making appropriate volume adjustments based on detected user situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the user detection unit to continuously monitor user position and adjust the voice volume accordingly. The detection results feed back to the notification unit, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing user situations.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a CPU and a speaker, and the CPU selects a voice message for output, which corresponds to information to be notified to a person who uses the image forming apparatus, in accordance with a situation of the image forming apparatus, sets, as an output volume value, a normal volume value allocated to the message for output, and when determining that a person exists around the image forming apparatus in accordance with an output of a person detection sensor, determines whether to change the output volume value, and when determining that the output volume value is to be changed, changes the output volume value in accordance with a content of the voice message for output. Then, the voice message for output is output from the speaker with a volume according to the output volume value.